Graphic designers are encouraged to submit entries for the contest between now and 11:59 PM on July 10. Public online voting will commence on July 11 and will conclude at 11:59 PM on July 13. The design with the most votes (using the Instant Runoff Voting model at DemoChoice.org) will be announced on July 14.

The logo will be used in graphic content such as event signage and my (DBJ's) funny little CannonFest ads that will start popping up once this contest is over. It will also be used to create CannonFest t-shirts, the proceeds from which will go to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. It is possible that the logo could be used for other unforeseen purposes related to CannonFest.

From a technical perspective, submissions must be sent in Adobe Illustrator (.AI) format. They MUST be vector graphics. Submissions must be accompanied by a JPG format version as well (to be used in posting the contest submissions for voting). The creator(s) of the winning submission may be asked to create a web graphic-friendly version of the logo as well.

Choice of theme is the discretion of the designer, as is color choice. If a multiple color combination is used on the logo, a single color version of the same logo (for t-shirt printing purposes) must accompany the full-color version for the submission to be valid. The designer will have input in determining shirt/ink color combinations with the t-shirt vendor.

Logo shapes and dimensions are at the discretion of the designer to encourage creativity, but the maximum allowable size for t-shirts is 13" x 17".

Submissions are not allowed to use any copyrighted or trademarked images. (For example, don't put the Blue Jackets logo or the NHL seal in your graphic. You don't own those, and neither do we.)

All submissions to the contest will enter the public domain, and nobody associated with CannonFest assumes any responsibility for the intellectual property. We would like to offer all sorts of protections and legal safeguards, but this is a volunteer-run event with no budget...meaning no time or money to chase down unauthorized recreation or use of submissions.

Any submissions deemed offensive or obscene by the organizers (DBJ, Matt Wagner and Greg May) will not be presented for voting. CannonFest is a family-friendly event.

In addition to copious amounts of public adulation and admiration from one's fellow Blue Jackets fan peers, the winner will receive a t-shirt with the logo on it and a $25 gift certificate to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Submissions should be emailed to darkbluejacket@sbcglobal.netwith the words "CannonFest Logo Contest submission" in the subject line. Designers should not presume that their submission has been received until an email acknowledgement has been received.

All questions regarding the contest should be posted in the comments section below, and I will answer the questions in the comment thread.

Happy designing, and good luck! We are excited to see what you come up with.